Chimp to go.......

[pvapour]

first I have to say that I have loved the last 5 years owning the 2 x Chimaeras I've had, all in all 70k miles covered between the two models without a hitch, inc 2 x 2k mile round trips through europe, Peninsula in Devon have been more than efficient with all the servicing and upgrade needs, but alas it's time to move on to something with a little more luxury for those Europe trips, I have test driven the Tuscan and was dissapointed with noise and poise, Cerby I loved the drive but the roof thing is a problem, Tamora / T350T just does'nt do it visualy for me I'm afraid.

Soooo..... any thoughts within the 30 - 40k pound bracket that has:

A/c, elecy roof, min 0 - 100mph 14sec, bit of the old kudos but not to in yer face (Ferrari)

I have a list of Six so far to test drive over the next few months and they are:

SLK32 AMG
XKR Conv.
Z4 3.0i
Boxter 3.2
Corvette C5 conv.
M3 Conv.

Your input on this will be very helpfull as the Chimaera is going to be a real hard act to follow and I will really miss it when it goes.

Cheers, Nik

[Pierscoe1]

>SLK32 AMG
>XKR Conv.
>Z4 3.0i
>Boxter 3.2
>Corvette C5 conv.
>M3 Conv.

err.. just no, it's a merc
probably good for the long trips, but blobby and "londoner"
yuk!!
get the 'S'
apparently good, but it's a yank tank
the poser's version - not good

in that order..
Noble, 911, Esprit.. hmm they're nice

[douglasr]

From that list, Boxster or M3 for me. If you want to have fun and save some money for something else, try an S2000.

[FourWheelDrift]

Purely my own opinion of course but


SLK32 AMG - bit girly
XKR Conv. Fine car
Z4 3.0i Better than Z3, but after a TVR you'll be wanting more
Boxster 3.2 You'll always be wanting a 911
Corvette C5 conv. Left hand drive
M3 Conv. Best of the six

Are you after brand new? if not and would look at fairly new 2nd hand then consider.............

Maserati 3200GT Spyder

[The DJ 27]

I'd take the Boxster or the 'Vette (purely for the noise you understand) out of those. What about a second hand Ultima Can-Am?

[john_p]

I'd go for the M3 - 4 seats, boot space, great to drive and easy to live with. The XKR, great car, but a different kettle of fish to the M3 - much more of a cruiser.

[HarryW]

If I had too, of those it'd be the jag, at least its still British, well technically it is .

Harry

[pvapour]

FourWheelDrift said:

Purely my own opinion of course but SLK32 AMG - bit girly XKR Conv. Fine car Z4 3.0i Better than Z3, but after a TVR you'll be wanting more Boxster 3.2 You'll always be wanting a 911 Corvette C5 conv. Left hand drive M3 Conv. Best of the six Are you after brand new? if not and would look at fairly new 2nd hand then consider............. Maserati 3200GT Spyder

3200GT Spyder would have been near the top of the list if they hadn't ruined the back by replacing those gorgeos 'L' shaped lights with 'OLD' Honda Prelude lights, I must agree with most of your thoughts regards my short list, they were'nt in order of pref, it would have been M3/Boxter/XKR/Vette, but can anyone think of any other considerations, I'm afraid the Can Am is just an insy winsy to impractical.

[Leadfoot]

NSX - targa if you still want open sky above yer bonce.

You selling the Chimp as is or will you be taking the induction stuff off it...........?

[pvapour]

Leadfoot said:

NSX - targa if you still want open sky above yer bonce. You selling the Chimp as is or will you be taking the induction stuff off it...........?

you mean you could give me back some of the money you stole from me for that Akropovic exhaust?

edited to say, NSX Targa...mmmm.... I'll give it some thought, don't see many either....

>> Edited by pvapour on Monday 8th September 23:35

[Leadfoot]

pvapour said:

you mean you could give me back some of the money you stole from me for that Akropovic exhaust?

No can do mate, long since drunk those tokens.

I may have some other ones lying around that need to be spent tho'. Let me know if you are thinking of putting the engine room back to standard.

[trooper1212]

pvapour said:

edited to say, NSX Targa...mmmm.... I'll give it some thought, don't see many either....

There are only 4 for sale on autotrader, all at around the £30k mark.

If you must have the wind in your hair, then go for it, but the tin top is widely regarded as the better handling car. You don't see that many targas about because people don't buy them, for the same reason you'll find that most are manual rather than auto or F-Matic.
NSXs aren't particulary fashionable, the UK buyers are generally people who want to buy the best drivers car that has come out of Japan, putting a targa or auto in it reduces that drivers appeal.

[Badapple]

Pvapour, bit off topic but if you ever sell that R1 give me a shout first.

[DanH]

Mazzers are pretty crap though to be honest. People only buy them as its a cheap way to get the Ferrari lump.

NSX is cool, but terribly ugly. Also new one is out very soon, so residuals may take even more of a battering. So wait if you want one is my advice.

Why not get a 993 or 996? Honestly the only sensible choice imho. Boxster just doesn't do it.

[madant69]

Bah - I thought this thread was going to be about the simian equivalent of KFC

[Neil_H]

douglasr said:

From that list, Boxster or M3 for me. If you want to have fun and save some money for something else, try an S2000.

I'd second that, or go for the NSX targa like Leadfoot said. I wouldn't fancy any of the cars off your list, not least because they all have very a dodgy image.

SLK32 AMG - Girl
XKR Conv. - Grandad
Z4 3.0i - Ugly
Boxster 3.2 - Poser
Corvette C5 conv - Ghastly over-blown USA trash, best left to hairy chested men with small nobs
M3 Conv. - W***ers car

*All strictly IMHO only, they're probably decent cars to drive.

[Mad Dave]

Bear in mind that ive driven none of the cars on your list, and neither have i driven a Chimaera - but IMHO, nothing youve listed will have the passion and flare of a TVR. Theyre all fine cars, but they wont have that 'low volume, hand built' feel to them.

Just my 2p mate - good luck with whatever you decide

[Paul 2000]

I'll add my vote for the S2000 (well, I would, wouldn't I?). I went from a Griff 500 to an S2000. I know I'm not comparing like with like, but I haven't regretted the switch. Sure, I miss many things about the TVR (and some things I don't!). Never regretted changing though. For around £27k it's a bargain - you'll be getting a fast, fun, rock-solid build car - and you don't see too many around.
Paul

[Fatboy]

SLK32 AMG - bit of a problem if you're over about 6' - no bloody headroom, and the seats are really narrow (think ecnonmy class airline seats). Other than that a nice motor.
Thought about an M coupe? (breadvan)

[AllTorque]

Neil_H said:

douglasr said: From that list, Boxster or M3 for me. If you want to have fun and save some money for something else, try an S2000. I'd second that, or go for the NSX targa like Leadfoot said. I wouldn't fancy any of the cars off your list, not least because they all have very a dodgy image. SLK32 AMG - Girl XKR Conv. - Grandad Z4 3.0i - Ugly Boxster 3.2 - Poser Corvette C5 conv - Ghastly over-blown USA trash, best left to hairy chested men with small nobs M3 Conv. - W***ers car *All strictly IMHO only, they're probably decent cars to drive.

Sorry mate - your comments here are just crap IMO. You've slagged off some of the best cars around! What do you drive? A nova?